Sign up for tax alert emails    GTNU homepage    Tax newsroom    Email document    Print document    Download document

June 30, 2022
2022-5628

US | Reinstated Superfund excise tax applies to companies operating in Puerto Rico

As of 1 July 2022, Superfund excise taxes under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Sections 4661 and 4671 will be reinstated and apply to all United States (US)-based operations, including those in Puerto Rico. These excise taxes were reinstated under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) (see Tax Alert 2021-2059).

The reach of the expanded Superfund excise taxes potentially includes industrial and consumer product manufacturers, taxpayers that historically have not been subject to Superfund excise taxes. Consequently, taxpayers in multiple sectors may be obligated to pay Superfund excise taxes on products they manufacture or import.

Changes to excise taxes

Effective 1 July 2022, the IIJA:

  • Expands and reinstates superfund excise taxes on both the domestic production of certain chemicals and the importation of "taxable substances" that were previously subject to the superfund excise tax

  • Broadens the scope of qualifying "taxable substances" sold or used by the importer by lowering the taxable chemical content threshold to 20% (from 50%) of the weight or value of the materials used to produce the substance

  • Imposes the tax at twice the historic rate for base chemicals

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released further guidance on the excise taxes in Notice 2021-66. In addition to the 50 taxable substances initially listed in IRC Section 4672(a)(3), Notice 2021-66 includes an additional 101 substances that will be taxable if imported into the US (or credited if exported out of the US) (See Tax Alert 2022-0018 for a discussion of Notice 2021-66 and  a full list of taxable substances as of the date of this Alert). Taxpayers seeking to add or remove a substance from the list may petition the IRS following the procedures outlined in Rev. Proc. 2022-26, which will be discussed in a forthcoming Alert.

Temporary penalty relief

In Notice 2022-15, the IRS stated that it will not impose penalties on taxpayers that fail to deposit Superfund chemical taxes required under IRC Section 6656 for the third and fourth calendar quarters of 2022 and the first calendar quarter of 2023 (see Tax Alert 2022-0688) as long as (1) taxpayers make timely deposits of Superfund chemical taxes (even if the deposits are computed incorrectly) and (2) any underpayment of the quarterly Superfund chemical tax is paid in full by the due date for filing the Form 720 return for that quarter.

Implications

When reinstated, the Superfund excise taxes are likely to affect significantly more taxpayers than the prior regime. Companies that manufacture or produce the listed base chemicals and metals in Puerto Rico should begin identifying what sources of information are available (within ERP, purchasing or other systems) to determine the amount of taxable chemicals. Similarly, companies that import chemical substances into Puerto Rico should consider analyzing their import data against the lists of taxable substances to determine exposure and compliance obligations. The US Customs Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) database can provide importers with the information needed to make these determinations.

Due to the effective date of 1 July 2022, companies should immediately determine the effects on their specific manufacturing and sourcing of the taxable chemicals and substances, including pricing increases passed on to them from vendors, and outline specific compliance planning steps to meet the new tax requirements.

_________________________________________

For additional information with respect to this Alert, please contact the following:

Ernst & Young LLP (United States), Excise Tax

Ernst & Young LLP (United States), Global Trade

EY Puerto Rico, San Juan

 
 

The information contained herein is general in nature and is not intended, and should not be construed, as legal, accounting or tax advice or opinion provided by Ernst & Young LLP to the reader. The reader also is cautioned that this material may not be applicable to, or suitable for, the reader's specific circumstances or needs, and may require consideration of non-tax and other tax factors if any action is to be contemplated. The reader should contact his or her Ernst & Young LLP or other tax professional prior to taking any action based upon this information. Ernst & Young LLP assumes no obligation to inform the reader of any changes in tax laws or other factors that could affect the information contained herein.

 

Copyright © 2024, Ernst & Young LLP.

 

All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced, retransmitted or otherwise redistributed in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including by photocopying, facsimile transmission, recording, rekeying, or using any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from Ernst & Young LLP.

 

Any U.S. tax advice contained herein was not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, by the recipient for the purpose of avoiding penalties that may be imposed under the Internal Revenue Code or applicable state or local tax law provisions.

 

"EY" refers to the global organisation, and may refer to one or more, of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients.

 

Privacy  |  Cookies  |  BCR  |  Legal  |  Global Code of Conduct Opt out of all email from EY Global Limited.

 


Cookie Settings

This site uses cookies to provide you with a personalized browsing experience and allows us to understand more about you. More information on the cookies we use can be found here. By clicking 'Yes, I accept' you agree and consent to our use of cookies. More information on what these cookies are and how we use them, including how you can manage them, is outlined in our Privacy Notice. Please note that your decision to decline the use of cookies is limited to this site only, and not in relation to other EY sites or ey.com. Please refer to the privacy notice/policy on these sites for more information.


Yes, I accept         Find out more